Let’s look at another dimension of the argument that political parties have increasingly become special-purpose vehicles for the average Nigerian politician. One reason this argument has gained traction is the remarkable ease with which politicians move from one party to another, often with little or no ideological dislocation. The frequency of these defections suggests that, for many politicians, the party platform may matter less than the individual’s personality, network, and political capital. Governor Adeleke’s victory, despite the enormous odds against him and his platform on the relatively obscure Accord Party (AP), offers an interesting illustration. In his case, his personality benefited the party far more than the party benefited him. Indeed, one is tempted to argue that Adeleke might have won on almost any platform available to him. He may even have had a credible chance as an independent candidate, if our electoral architecture permitted it. This is particularly intriguing because his appeal does not rest on the markers of political performance. His achievements have sometimes been difficult to articulate with precision. His much-mocked fondness for dancing has become a political signature. His public persona projects a man seemingly enamoured of enjoyment and the lighter side of life. Yet beneath it all is something more consequential: a profound and demonstrable connection with his people. That connection can be extraordinarily powerful. In politics, affection, identification and a sense of personal belonging can sometimes accomplish what elaborate manifestos, sophisticated messaging and formidable political structures cannot. A politician who enjoys genuine popular affection may, quite literally, push political mountains. A parallel appears in what Peter Obi and Datti Baba-Ahmed achieved with the Labour Party in 2023. Their candidacy elevated a party that had previously occupied a marginal space. The individuals, in effect, became larger than the platform. Should we instead think about independent candidacy in Nigeria, especially if political parties continue to lose ideological coherence and become largely transactional platforms for political ambition? Over. AA
- Prof. Abiodun Adeniyi is the Vice Chancellor of Base University, Abuja. He wrote this piece on his Facebook page.
